Chapter 8

Implementation

IMAGINE The Town of Indian Trail Comprehensive Plan

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8.1 USER’S GUIDE TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 8.1.1 The Purpose of the Comprehensive Plan A comprehensive plan is a long-range roadmap for the future of a community which examines and makes recommendations on a variety of planning activities such as land use, transportation, utilities, infrastructure, community facilities, housing, the environment, recreation, economic development, and more. It provides information about conditions, trends and issues in a community and identifies actions needed to address such issues. A comprehensive plan is not regulatory in and of itself, rather it:

Translates a community’s vision into a guide for future growth and development,

Provides a basis for decision-making, problem-solving and policy development by Town officials,

Establishes priorities for Town projects, and

Informs people of a community's intentions regarding its future. In North Carolina, except for those cities and counties that are subject to the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA), local governments are not required by state law to adopt or use a comprehensive plan or land use plan. As a general rule, the state’s planning legislation does not mandate the adoption of a plan, nor does it spell out or suggest what such a plan might consist of or the process for its formulation and adoption. As a result, the nature of plans and how they are used varies widely among North Carolina local governments. However, amendments in 2005 to the State zoning statutes requiring cities and counties to adopt statements analyzing the consistency of locally adopted plans with proposed zoning amendments and provides additional recognition of comprehensive plans. (Richard D. Ducker, Community Planning, Land Use, and Development, School of Government, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2007.) 8.1.2 Planning for Indian Trail In 2003, Indian Trail was the fastest growing community in Union County, which was the fastest growing county in North Carolina. Indian Trail at that time was also one of the fastest growing communities in the United States. The population of the Town had grown from around 1,900 people in 1990 to nearly 20,000 people by 2003, through both families moving in and annexation of existing unincorporated neighborhoods. In response to these unprecedented growth pressures, the Town initiated its first ever comprehensive plan, and adopted it in 2005.

Fig. 8.1.1 In 2009, Family Circle magazine named Indian Trail as one of its “10 Best Towns for Families”

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Since 2005, the Town has moved energetically to improve the quality of life of residents while managing the growth pressures that are inherent to being part of an attractive, growing metropolitan area. It has adopted a Downtown Indian Trail Master Plan, a Bicycle Master Plan, a Pedestrian Master Plan, a Park and Greenway Master Plan, and an Economic Development Plan. To help fund implementation of these plans, Indian Trail residents approved bond programs for road improvements and parks in the Town.

Fig. 8.1.2 Indian Trail Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan In May of 2011, the Town opened its first public park, Crossing Paths, a special events park facility. By 2013, Indian Trail’s next two parks were under development, construction had begun on the new Chestnut Parkway, preparations were well underway for major improvements to Old Monroe Road, the Monroe Bypass was moving closer to approval, planning was underway for the revitalization of US-74, an Indian Trail way finding program was initiated, and Pathways to Progress; an infrastructure investment program was also well underway. Private development has also continued with the emergence of a sub-regional shopping and entertainment center in the Sun Valley Village, a neighborhood center in the Austin Village that is anchored by a Harris Teeter grocery store, as well as the development of many attractive, well-planned subdivisions continuing to attract new residents to Indian Trail. The purpose of this updated comprehensive plan, adopted by the Town Council in November 2013, is to build on these initiatives in order to continue making Indian Trail a distinctive community where people can live, work and stay. 8.1.3 The Village Idea Throughout all of the public meetings, stakeholder interviews and steering committee meetings during the 2005 plan preparation, residents of Indian Trail expressed a strong desire to maintain the small town feeling that had attracted them to the Town, even as it continued to grow. From this desire came the idea that the Town could grow as a series of interconnected villages, each with a population of around 4,000 to 5,000 people. Thirteen villages were defined, each with a Village Center where stores, professional offices, civic buildings, churches and schools might be located. As these villages evolve over time, eventually everyone in Indian Trail will live within a 10 minute walk or a 5 minute drive of a Village Center.

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Fig. 8.1.3 Future Villages and Corridors During preparation of this 2013 update of the Comprehensive Plan, public feedback received from Stakeholders, the Advisory Committee, and citizens indicated continued support of the village idea. The villages are given more detail in the updated plan so that they can continue to be the primary building block for growth and community development in Indian Trail. 8.1.4 Living and Working in Indian Trail Indian Trail’s residential population had grown to 38,500 by 2013, including the areas outside the town limits that are part of the Planning Area. Total employment in the town had grown to nearly 12,000 jobs. However, almost 11,000 of those jobs were held by commuters into Indian Trail, while over 14,000 Indian Trail residents commuted elsewhere to work. Only 920 residents actually work within the Town’s Planning Area. A key goal of the Comprehensive Plan and the Economic Development Plan is to provide for more employment in the Town that matches Indian Trail resident’s skill base. This will enable residents to find more employment opportunities within the community they live. This is focused on revitalization of the US-74 corridor after the Monroe Bypass is built, and developing a regional employment center in the Old Hickory Corridor, taking advantage of the new regional access that will be provided by the Monroe Bypass exit at Indian Trail-Fairview Road.

Fig. 8.1.4 Ballantyne Regional Business Park Future economic development will also have the benefit of improving the balance between the residential and non-residential tax base, so that less of the property tax burden will fall on residents.

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8.1.5 A Sense of Place While Indian Trail has been growing rapidly, the identity of the community has not always kept pace. In 2008, the Town completed a branding exercise that helped create a unified identity that would be embraced by Indian Trail residents and business owners. To create an image for the Town at its entry points and to help identify the villages and civic places, the Town began implementation of a “wayfinding,” or community signage program in 2013, to guide residents and visitors through the Town and to its major destinations. The emergence of a regional entertainment and shopping district at Sun Valley will create a gathering place for residents and visitors, adding to the identity of the community. Downtown Indian Trail, the historic center of the Town, will contribute to this identity as it becomes a cultural and civic destination. The village centers, as they continue to develop, will bring the sense of place and identity to each of the villages, giving residents a place beyond just their subdivision to consider as home.

Fig. 8.1.5 Typical Village Center: Colony Place, Charlotte, NC 8.1.6 Livability With rapid growth comes the challenge of keeping a community a convenient and pleasant place to live and work. Indian Trail’s biggest challenge has been traffic congestion. The Comprehensive Plan’s transportation proposals provide not only improved roadways, but also connectivity throughout the Town for pedestrians and bicycles. Transit service connecting to Charlotte Area Transit System’s regional service is anticipated in the long term future. For recreation and improved connectivity, an extensive system of parks, greenways, and bikeways is planned through the Council adopted Park and Greenway Master Plan and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans. The development of two major parks facilities: Chestnut Square at Indian Trail and Crooked Creek Park at Indian Trail represents the Town’s commitment to making Indian Trail a livable community where people will want to stay.

Fig. 8.1.6 Identity sign for Chestnut Square at Indian Trail

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8.1.7 Updating the Plan Comprehensive plans should be living documents, just as the Town is a living community. For Indian Trail, the plan should be reviewed approximately every five years to evaluate whether a minor update is needed. A major update should be contemplated in approximately 2023, or when the population of the Town reaches about 50,000 people. 8.1.8 Implementing the Plan As a policy document, the Comprehensive Plan lays out general guidance for future Town actions, and is a guide for Planning Board and Town Council decisions on growth and community development. Many of those decisions are addressed in functional and specific plans that focus on a particular aspect of an individual Town need or facility, such as parks, transportation or economic development. The Town also implements the Plan through its development regulations found in the Unified Development Ordinance. As a guide to implementing the Plan, the following section lays out recommended actions and responsibilities for the Town to follow.

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8.2 IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN At the outset of the Comprehensive Plan Update, the Advisory Committee began the process of setting goals for the plan, and for the community. These goals were refined throughout the planning process, through public meetings, more Advisory Committee meetings. This set of goals forms the basis for the implementation strategy to realize Indian Trail’s vision of the kind of community it wants to be. Quality of Life

Provide a unique identity for Indian Trail with common community design and other identity elements implemented throughout the town

Provide and support cultural amenities that preserve and expand the town’s heritage

Support education providers to ensure continued excellence in public and private instruction. Create partnerships with educational providers to incorporate town planning/civics into the local school curriculum

Provide opportunities for use of local agricultural products within the town

Ensure the provision of effective public safety services and facilities within Indian Trail Community Engagement and Communication

Communicate effectively with residents, businesses owners, and other stakeholders to ensure a well-informed and inclusive community

Promote inter-governmental cooperation and inclusive public engagement to encourage collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions and residents

Land Use and Housing

Promote a mix of different types of land uses within each village, and avoid potential land use conflicts between neighboring properties and surrounding municipalities

Provide a diverse range of housing options, including varying densities of single family, multi-family, traditional neighborhood development (TND), and mixed-use communities in order to provide affordable living opportunities for a wide range of residents

Improve existing Indian Trail neighborhoods to create strong and vibrant communities

Coordinate land use and transportation planning to ensure sustainable community development

Emphasize high quality design to ensure attractive land development and redevelopment

Coordinate with land development stakeholders to help create efficient and predictable land development process that will encourage investment in the community

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Parks and Recreation, Open Space, and Natural Environment

Expand the park and recreation system in a way that is attractive, accessible and safe for all users and reinforces a sense of community for Indian Trail residents. Create diverse active and passive recreational opportunities that meet the needs of all Indian Trail residents

Use parks, trails, and greenways to interconnect Indian Trail’s villages and other destinations

Seek partnerships to facilitate development of local parks and recreational facilities and programs

Preserve and protect the natural environment in a way that preserves and enhances Indian Trail’s image, environmental features, and tree canopy while providing for responsible growth. Integrate the town’s natural environmental amenities with parks, open space, and recreational opportunities

Encourage open space conservation in a way that preserves Indian Trail’s agricultural heritage

Implement the Town of Indian Trail Park and Greenway Master Plan and support the implementation of the Carolina Thread Trail Master Plan for Union County

Mobility and Transportation

Relieve congestion throughout Indian Trail through an improved thoroughfare plan and multi-modal transportation options including automobiles, pedestrians, bicycles, and mass transit

Improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity between existing and future uses and to surrounding communities in a safe way

Incorporate bicycle and pedestrian amenities into existing and future Indian Trail destination environments. Educate residents and visitors within Indian Trail on available bicycle and pedestrian facilities within the community and their benefits

Identify various funding opportunities through partnerships with other agencies such as NCDOT and MUMPO to build the transportation system that meets current and future needs of the town’s residents and businesses

Integrate the land use and transportation recommendations from the US-74 Corridor Revitalization Study into town planning initiatives and support other means to implementation the study

Implement the Town of Indian Trail Bicycle Master Plan and the Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan Downtown Revitalization

The downtown should become a focal point that provides Indian Trail a gathering place for community events, while at the same time serving as a destination for the local and regional population. Arts, culture, local heritage, and commerce should be prominent elements within the downtown

Support development of a unique architectural character within the downtown that is pedestrian oriented and incorporates local design elements. Beautify the downtown to create an attractive environment to live, visit, and invest in

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Create a network of public and private urban open spaces within the downtown that are interconnected with sidewalks and other pedestrian and bicycle facilities

Implement the Town of Indian Trail Downtown Master Plan Economic Development

Create a more balanced tax base by promoting the development of office parks, businesses, retail centers, and industrial parks. Promote a diverse local economy that will support varied employment opportunities

Support existing businesses within the town through effective communication and community outreach

Foster public-private partnerships as a means to encourage business development and investment within the town

Promote economic development collaboration and coordination with other state, regional, and local governments and organizations

Coordinate economic development initiatives with land use and transportation plans and programs

Implement the Town of Indian Trail Economic Development Strategic Plan Infrastructure

Expand and improve public and private utilities such as water, sewer, storm water, electric, natural gas, and communications infrastructure throughout the community

Coordinate land use and transportation planning with infrastructure investment to ensure sustainable growth

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Implementation Action Resources Required Lead Party Timeframe Status

Implementation Action Resources Required Lead Party Timeframe Status

Implementation Action Resources Required Lead Party Timeframe Status

7.2.1 LAND USE AND HOUSING

Goal: Promote a mix of land uses and avoid land use conflicts

Goal: Provide a range of housing options for a wide range of residents

Goal: Improve Neighborhoods to create strong and vibrant communities